Buddha Temple, Grand Canyon FKT
Note: while Nathan is skiing SPS peaks, Travis has been exploring the desert. Travis will join Nathan's effort sometime in the next couple of months and they'll work through the bulk of the list together. Following that, Travis will finish Nathan's earlier skiing peaks. Perhaps even faster?
While in Arizona, Travis has set a few FKTs, notably on Queen Victoria Tower in Sedona and, just a few days ago, on Buddha Temple in the Grand Canyon, a 32 mile, massive vertical, 5th class endevour.
Buddha Temple! This was an incredible adventure! The Grand Canyon is full of mystery and wonder and I can't wait to go back! This route involved a little bit of every movement I enjoy: steep trail descents, boulder hopping, prickly pear dodging, technical rock climbing, and a mega uphill. Best of all, after I left the main trail, I was totally alone with the canyon walls.
I also greatly enjoyed the mini encounters on the way: The elk I startled, the spider in it's web, the cracked crystals, the rusty can on the summit, the poor dehydrated man who was throwing up on the trail I helped get back on his feet, the two kids in the final switchbacks who distracted me with ice cream flavors.
Buddha taught me to be present and maintain focus. The goal is the summit view but there is something to notice in every step.
Trip Report
After parking nearby, I biked over to the South Kaibab trailhead and started heading down at 6:40am. Descending the trail was exceptionally fun and I managed to reach the river in just under an hour. From Phantom Ranch I took the unofficial Utah Flats trail for a few miles to where it drops into Phantom Creek. From there it's all off trail with a few 4th class sections up to the Shellbach-Buddha saddle. At the saddle, I contoured north around the Supai and found a fixed line up through 5th class terrain. On the Hermit Shale I traversed south around Buddha to the southeast face. The climbing had one or two distinct 5.6 cruxes but consisted mostly of 5.4. I reached the summit around noon. Halfway done.
I down climbed and charged to Phantom Creek, as I had run out of water and was desperately thirsty. Heading back up the South Kaibab, I initially felt great and was moving fast: a sub 11 hour effort was possible. However, I encountered a man throwing up from dehydration and offered assistance. I was happy to help but it did cost 20 minutes or so and I lost my momentum. I had no food left as I ascended the final switchbacks and began to bonk badly. Eventually I made it back to the trailhead in 11 hours and 47 minutes. Unfortunately, my bike lock was jammed and I had to walk an extra mile back to the van.
Overall epic day!
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